TL;DR - they're looking for $32m in 30 days; if they get it, the Edge will have "the fastest multi-core CPU available", at least 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, GSM dual-LTE, etc etc ad infinitum. It is to dual-boot Android and Ubuntu, and be powerful enough to seriously, no kidding, use as a desktop PC when connected to external keyboard/mouse/monitor.

You can back today @$600 and get an Edge when they're built; after today the backing cost to actually get an Edge is $830.

The dual boot is more of a hedge than the intended usage mode. If you're willing to use Ubuntu Touch to make calls and etc, you never need to boot into Android.

There are probably a hell of a lot of people who are willing to back at that level for hardware that hot and give Ubuntu Touch a chance, knowing that worst come to worst, they can always just use it as a really balls-to-the-wall Android phone.

Hell, I'm one of those people myself, to some degree. I wouldn't have REQUIRED the Android boot, I don't think, but it does make me feel a little easier about plunking down the cash.